Generic satellite positioning system receivers with programmable inputs

ABSTRACT

Generic SATPS receivers and methods for configuring generic SATPS receivers that include a plurality of outputs are provided. These configurable SATPS receivers are adapted to be utilized in at least one of a plurality of particular SATPS receiver applications, and can also include a plurality of input paths, and a means for generating selected ones of the plurality of possible outputs. Selected ones of the plurality of outputs are enabled/disabled based on at least one requirement of the particular receiver application to configure or program the generic SATPS receiver to function as a SATPS receiver used for a particular SATPS receiver application or operating environment. The selected ones of the plurality of outputs can be defined by and can be those utilized by the particular SATPS receiver application or operating environment. Thus, SATPS receivers are provided that can be used in multiple applications, that can accept multiple types of assistance data, and that have multiple types of outputs depending on the application and/or desires of the user. The SATPS receiver can be implemented in SATPS systems that include at least one satellite that provides SATPS information, a generic SATPS receiver, and a remote computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates in general to Satellite PositioningSystem (SATPS) systems, and in particular to generic SatellitePositioning System (SATPS) receivers and related methods.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Use of wireless communicators such as cellular telephones,Personal Communication System (PCS) devices, and Personal Data Assistant(PDA) devices, has become commonplace. Such devices can provide voice,data, and other services, such as internet access, affording manyconveniences to cellular system users.

[0005] The cellular and PCS arenas have recently integrated SatellitePositioning System (SATPS) technology, including Global PositioningSystem (GPS) technology, into wireless transceiver devices such as thecellular telephone. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,914, issued toKrasner, which is incorporated by reference herein, describes aconventional method wherein the basestation (also known as the MobileTelephone Switching Office (MTSO)) transmits GPS satellite information,including Doppler information, to a remote unit using a cellular datalink, and then computes pseudoranges to the in-view satellites withoutreceiving or using satellite ephemeris information.

[0006] This current interest in integrating GPS with cellular telephonystems from a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulationsrequiring that cellular telephones be locatable within 20 feet when anemergency call, such as a “911” call (also referred to as Enhanced 911or “E911”), is placed by a given cellular telephone. Such position datacan assist police, paramedics, and other law enforcement and publicservice personnel, as well as other agencies seeking to determine theposition of a particular wireless communicator such as a cellulartelephone.

[0007] GPS data that is supplied by the MTSO in the Krasner system canbe used by the cellular user for other purposes. For example, the GPSdata may be used by to determine information such as directions,particular locations that the cellular user is trying to locate,relative location of the cellular user to other landmarks, directionsfor the cellular user via internet maps or other GPS mapping techniques,not to mention other purposes. Thus, this data can be very useful tocellular and PCS subscribers because such data can be utilized forpurposes other than E911 calls.

[0008] In Krasner's methodology, the number of data links that can beconnected to a GPS-dedicated data supply warehouse can be limited. Sucha server/GPS data supply location, whether at the MTSO or otherlocations in the cellular network, can require that the cellulartelephone maintain two data links. One data link is needed for voiceand/or cellular subscriber data used by the cellular subscriber totransmit and receive voice and/or data that the cellular subscriber isusing, e.g., talking with another person, sending data across thecellular network, etc. In addition, another data is needed for the GPSinformation that is being sent by the MTSO/cellular network server tothe cellular subscriber.

[0009] Conventional cellular telephones are not capable of operating insuch a manner. Conventional cellular telephones would therefore eitherbe required to (1) maintain two voice/data links simultaneously, and/or(2) switch between two data links in time. One link would be used totransmit their voice and/or data during cellular use, and another linkwould be used for the GPS data link. This can result in higher chargesfor the cellular subscriber, as well as overloading cellular systembandwidth.

[0010] In digital cellular systems, it is possible for a single datalink to support both voice and GPS data communications simultaneously,but there is a cost in terms of available link data rate for voice. InCDMA systems, for example, the additional burden of the GPS data linkwill increase the total data transmission requirement, and thereforedecrease the available range for voice communications at a fixed biterror rate.

[0011] As a result, GPS equipped telephones that are deployed in acellular system described by Krasner, would use more bandwidth as thepresent cellular system. This can be problematic especially since theavailable bandwidth is overloaded. Alternatively, additional cells couldbe installed in a Krasner-based system, but this would most likelyincrease the capital outlay for the cellular telephone network.

[0012] Further, in Krasner the location of the “basestation” is requiredto be within 150 km of the cellular subscriber at the time the cellularsubscriber is using the wireless handset. When a cellular subscriber isroaming outside of the home service area, or the MTSO is located at acentralized site for a large cellular network, such as AT&T and VerizonWireless, the Krasner system would require additional MTSO sitesthroughout such networks. This can make the networks more costly andless efficient. As such, the FCC mandate for E911 calls would bedifficult if not impossible to achieve using conventional systems suchas the Krasner system.

[0013] SATPS receivers used in SATPS systems typically need anunobstructed view, or, at least a mostly unobstructed view, of the skyto receive the SATPS signals. However, wireless communications devicessuch as cellular telephones, PDA's and PCS devices, are commonly used insituations where the view of the sky is occluded, for example, by largebuildings in urban areas (also known as urban canyons). This can makeposition determination difficult for SATPS receivers. These situationsmake delivery of consistent, accurate position information difficult.Many solutions have been proposed, such as pseudolite deployment, butsuch solutions are typically expensive and based on the SATPSinfrastructure itself. Consequently, institutions such as localbusinesses and local governments cannot affect the delivery of moreaccurate position information.

[0014] Using SATPS data for other purposes, such as for locationservices, is also becoming more commonplace in other types ofenvironments, such as Personal Data Assistants (PDAs). Using SATPS datawith other types of wireless networks such as local wireless networks(such as Bluetooth), Short Message Service (SMS), Citizens Band (CB)radio, automotive navigation systems, and other devices is also beingcontemplated.

[0015] However, the requirements of a SATPS receiver for each of theseenvironments are quite different. For example, in a hand-held device,battery power conservation is more important than in an automotiveapplication. Further, some SATPS assistance data may be available in oneapplication that is not available in another. For example, almanac andephemeris information may be available in a cellular or wirelessenvironment, but may not be available in, for example, an automotiveenvironment.

[0016] Conventional SATPS receivers have been designed for a specificapplication, and depending upon the particular SATPS receiverapplication many of the outputs and inputs may not be available. In somecases, many of the outputs and inputs are simply disabled, or areotherwise removed from the SATPS receiver due to, for example, designconstraints and/or lack of external access to the SATPS receiver. Inother cases, many of the outputs and inputs are simply not designed aspart of the SATPS receiver.

[0017] As such, SATPS receivers useable in one environment may not beuseable in another. Conventional SATPS receivers may also presentproblems when called upon to deliver different types of outputs that arenot typically used in conjunction with the particular application forwhich they are designed. This can make the design and manufacture ofSATPS receivers more expensive and more time consuming.

[0018] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved SATPSreceivers that can potentially be implemented in more than oneenvironment and/or application. It would be highly desirable to provideSATPS receivers that can provide different types of outputs so that theSATPS receivers can be utilized by different applications and/ordifferent operating environments. It is also highly desirable toaccomplish both of these objectives without substantially increasing thecost and/or complexity of the SATPS receivers.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An aspect of the present invention provides a method forconfiguring a generic SATPS receiver that includes a plurality ofoutputs. Selected ones of the plurality of outputs are enabled/disabledto configure the generic SATPS receiver to function as a SATPS receiverused for a particular SATPS receiver application. The selected ones ofthe plurality of outputs can be defined by and can be those utilized bythe particular SATPS receiver application.

[0020] An aspect of the present invention provides another method forconfiguring a generic SATPS receiver, that includes a plurality ofpossible outputs, for use in any of a plurality of SATPS receiverapplications. At least one input path to the receiver is provided. Aplurality of possible outputs is generated. Desired outputs utilized bya particular receiver application are activated/deactivated. The desiredoutputs are selected from the plurality of possible outputs.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method forproducing a SATPS receiver for a particular application. Generic SATPSreceivers are provided that have a plurality of outputs to be utilizedby a plurality of particular SATPS receiver applications. Adetermination is then made as to which ones of the plurality of outputsare operable. Thereafter, the generic SATPS receivers can be groupedbased on which ones of the plurality of outputs are operable. Selectedones of the plurality of outputs can then be enabled to configure thegeneric SATPS receiver to function as a SATPS receiver used for aparticular SATPS receiver application.

[0022] Another aspect of the present invention provides a configurableSATPS receiver adapted to be utilized in at least one of a plurality ofparticular SATPS receiver applications. The configurable SATPS receiverincludes a plurality of input paths, a plurality of possible outputs,and a means for generating selected ones of the plurality of possibleoutputs. The selected ones of the plurality of possible outputs compriseoutputs that are utilized by at least one particular SATPS receiverapplication.

[0023] Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a genericSATPS receiver adapted to be programmed for use in selected ones of aplurality of SATPS applications. The generic SATPS receiver includes aplurality of SATPS input paths, and a plurality of possible outputs. Theplurality of possible outputs can be activated based on a particularSATPS application.

[0024] Another aspect of the present invention provides a generic SATPSreceiver adapted to be configured for use in any of a plurality ofparticular SATPS receiver applications. The generic SATPS receiverincludes a plurality of input paths and a plurality of possible outputsthat can be enabled/disabled based on at least one requirement of aparticular SATPS receiver application.

[0025] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a generic SATPSreceiver adapted to be configured for use in any of a plurality ofoperating environments. The generic SATPS receiver includes a pluralityof programmable outputs, and means for generating desired outputsselected from the plurality of programmable outputs such that thegeneric SATPS receiver is configured to be utilized in a particularoperating environment.

[0026] Still another aspect of the present invention is a generic SATPSreceiver adapted to be configured for use in any of a plurality ofoperating environments. The generic SATPS receiver includes a pluralityof programmable outputs that can be enabled/disabled based on aparticular operating environment. The generic SATPS receiver includes aradio frequency (RF) unit that generates intermediate frequency (IF)outputs based on RF inputs, and a baseband unit that extracts data fromselected ones of the intermediate frequency (IF) outputs and assistancedata-type inputs. The baseband unit generates desired outputs utilizedby the particular operating environment. The desired outputs areselected from the plurality of programmable outputs.

[0027] Still another aspect of the present invention is a SATPS systemthat includes at least one satellite that provides SATPS information, ageneric receiver, and a remote computer. The generic receiver is to beused in a plurality of receiver applications. The generic receiver isadapted to generate desired ones of a plurality of possible outputsutilized for a particular receiver application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] The following discussion may be best understood with reference tothe various views of the drawings, described in summary below, whichform a part of this disclosure.

[0029]FIG. 1 illustrates a typical SATPS receiver receiving signals fromSATPS satellites;

[0030]FIG. 2 illustrates a generic SATPS receiver in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 3 illustrates a generic SATPS receiver in accordance withother embodiments of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations forconfiguring SATPS receivers according to embodiments of the presentinvention; and

[0033]FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations forproducing SATPS receivers according to other embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichpreferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout

[0035] It will be understood that when an element is referred to asbeing “connected to” another element, it can be directly connected tothe other element or intervening elements may also be present. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connectedto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. The term“adapted to” should be construed to mean “capable of”.

[0036] Receivers described and illustrated herein may be described asbeing adapted to generate desired ones of a plurality of possibleoutputs utilized for a particular receiver application. However, one ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that each of the receiversdescribed and illustrated herein could be adapted to suppress other onesof the plurality of possible outputs that are not utilized for aparticular receiver application.

[0037] As used herein, the term “activate/deactivate” can means toswitch or toggle between an activated state or a deactivated state, orvice-versa. Similarly, the term “activate/deactivate” could also mean toswitch between enabled/disabled states, or vice-versa. For purposes ofthis description, the terms “activate” and “deactivate” can be usedinterchangeably, and the terms “enable” and “disable” can also be usedinterchangably. For example, when the description refers to “activatingor enabling desired outputs utilized by a particular receiverapplication”, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thiscould also refer to the complementary acts of deactivating or disablingdesired outputs utilized by the particular receiver application, andvice-versa. Similarly, when the description refers to “enabling oractivating selected ones of the plurality of outputs”, one of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that this could also refer to thecomplementary acts of “disabling or deactivating selected ones of theplurality of outputs”, and vice-versa.

[0038] Particularly preferred embodiments of the present inventionprovide generic SATPS receivers and methods for configuring genericSATPS receivers that include a plurality of outputs are provided. Theseconfigurable SATPS receivers are adapted to be utilized in at least oneof a plurality of particular SATPS receiver applications, and can alsoinclude a plurality of input paths, and a means for generating selectedones of the plurality of possible outputs. The input paths and outputscan be enabled/disabled based on requirements of a particular SATPSreceiver application. Selected ones of the plurality of outputs areenabled/disabled based on at least one requirement of the particularreceiver application to configure or program the generic SATPS receiverto function as a SATPS receiver used for a particular SATPS receiverapplication or operating environment. The selected ones of the pluralityof outputs can be defined by and can be those utilized by the particularSATPS receiver application or operating environment. The SATPS receivercan be implemented in SATPS. systems that include at least one satellitethat provides SATPS information, a generic SATPS receiver, and a remotecomputer.

[0039] The particular SATPS receiver applications can include, forexample, at least one of a cellular telephone operating environment, anautomobile operating environment, and a Personal Data Assistant (PDA)operating environment, a wireless communicator application; a laptopcomputer application, a location services application, a cellulartelephone application, and a vehicle navigation application.

[0040] Preferably, the configurable SATPS receiver can include aplurality of input paths responsive to a plurality of possible RFinputs. In some embodiments the input paths may comprise, for example, afirst antenna adapted to receive RF inputs and supply the RF inputs tothe RF unit, and a second antenna adapted to selectively receive otherRF signals based on the particular application. The plurality of RFinputs can be selected from at least one of a group comprising: afrequency reference input, an automatic gain control input, a blankinginput, and a jammer-to-noise (J/N) switch. Additionally, according tosome embodiments, the other RF signals can be selected from, forexample, at least one of a group comprising: cellular system signals,local area network signals, Bluetooth signals, SMS signals, Wide AreaAugmentation System (WAAS) signals, beacon signals, and equivalentsthereof.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, the means forgenerating can comprise a radio frequency (RF) unit and a baseband unit.The RF unit is responsive to at least one RF input. In many instances,the radio frequency unit can generate a plurality of intermediatefrequency (IF) outputs based on the RF inputs. These intermediatefrequency (IF) outputs are fed directly into the baseband unit forprocessing, can be sent directly to a remote location for processing, orcan be directly utilized for parallel processing by a remote locationand the basedband unit. The intermediate frequency (IF) outputs can beselected from at least one of a group comprising: in-phase (I) output,quadrature-phase (Q) output, I²+Q² output, oscillator output,Intermediate Frequency (IF) output, an automatic gain control output,and equivalents thereof.

[0042] It will be appreciated that IF frequencies, while generally lowerthan the input RF frequency, are not necessarily so limited. One or moreof the IF outputs corresponding to one of the RF inputs may be at ahigher frequency than the input RF frequency. This is an unlikely choicefor the SATPS RF input, but may be a good choice for another RF input oflower frequency.

[0043] The baseband unit is responsive to selected ones of theintermediate frequency (IF) outputs, and can generate selected ones ofthe plurality of possible outputs utilized by the particular SATPSreceiver application. The baseband unit can extract data from selectedones of the RF outputs and other inputs. The baseband unit can generateselected ones of the plurality of the possible outputs from theplurality of possible outputs via software, hardware, firmware and/orcombinations thereof. The baseband unit can generate selected ones ofthe plurality of possible outputs based on the plurality of inputs. Inmany instances, the plurality of possible outputs may comprise aplurality of programmable outputs that can be enabled/disabled based onthe particular receiver application that can be determined based oncurrent operating environment and/or user preferences. According to someembodiments, the plurality of possible outputs can be selected from atleast one of a group comprising: a doppler output, a pre-processedinformation output, a delta pseudorange output, an integrated carrierphase output, a pseudorange output, a time output, a velocity output, aposition output, and equivalents thereof.

[0044] The baseband unit can further comprise input paths for signalsother than the RF inputs from the RF unit, where at least one of theplurality of possible outputs is selected from the plurality of possibleoutputs and other inputs, based in part on use of signals other than theRF inputs. In many instances, the signals can comprise, for example, aplurality of assistance data-type inputs. Additionally, according tosome embodiments, the assistance data-type inputs can be selected fromat least one of a group comprising a coarse position input, a navigationdata input, a doppler input, a time input, a frequency reference input,a universal time code (UTC) correction input, a ionospheric correctioninput, an ephemeris input, an almanac input, and/or a satellite IDinput, and equivalents thereof.

[0045] In one particular embodiment, the generic SATPS receiver isconfigurable for use with a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellitenetwork. In some embodiments, the baseband unit can extract GPS datafrom the selected ones of the intermediate frequency (IF) outputs andcan generate an output relating to the position of the SATPS receiver.

[0046] Practice of preferred aspects of the present invention providemethods and apparatuses for providing SATPS receivers that can be usedin multiple applications. Preferred implementations provide SATPSreceivers that can accept multiple types of assistance data are alsoprovided. Practice of preferred aspects of the present invention canalso provide SATPS receiver having multiple types of outputs dependingon the application and/or desires of the user.

[0047] Now, further discussion of preferred aspects of a SATPS systemusing a generic SATPS receiver is provided with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

[0048] System Overview

[0049]FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional SATPS system 100 including aSATPS receiver 108 for receiving signals from SATPS satellites 102, 104,106, and remote computer 110. SATPS satellites 102, 104, 106 send, forexample, spread-spectrum signals 112, 114, 116 respectively, that arereceived by SATPS receiver 108. Other known signals could also beutilized. As used herein, spread spectrum signals refer to a form ofwireless communications in which the frequency of the transmitted signalis deliberately varied to result in a much greater bandwidth than thesignal would have if it were not varied.

[0050] SATPS receiver 108 processes these spread-spectrum signals 112,114, 116. Depending on the application, the SATPS receiver 108 can, forexample, determine the location of SATPS receiver 108. The SATPSreceiver 108 can process the signals with or without assistance fromother inputs. Thus, if needed or desired, the SATPS receiver 108 canreceive outside help from remote computer 110, via links 118, to helpSATPS receiver 108 determine its location. The links 118 can be wirelessand/or other known links such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394(also known as firewire), CAN, microwire, and ethernet. Further, SATPScan send information to remote location that includes a remote computer110 via link 118 to allow remote computer 110 to process information andto determine, for example, the location of SATPS receiver 108. SATPSsystems 110 in accordance with FIG. 1 are described in further detail inU.S. Pat. No. 4,445,118, issued to Taylor et al., that is incorporatedby reference herein.

[0051] Receiver

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is a generic SATPS receiver 108 inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. The generic SATPSreceiver 108 includes a plurality of input paths 120-146, a plurality ofpossible outputs 148-166, and a generating unit. The generating unitgenerates desired outputs selected from a plurality of programmableoutputs 148-166 such that the generic SATPS receiver 108 can be utilizedin any of a number SATPS receiver applications and/or operatingenvironments such as wireless communicator operating environments orapplications including a cellular telephone applications and/or laptopcomputer applications, Personal Data Assistant (PDA) operatingenvironments including location services applications, and automobileoperating environments such as a vehicle navigation applications.

[0053] The generic SATPS receiver 108 is adapted to be utilized in atleast one of a plurality of particular SATPS receiver 108 applications.Selected ones of the plurality of possible outputs 148-166 of thereceiver are programmable and can be activated/deactivated to provideoutputs 148-166 that are utilized by at least one particular SATPSreceiver 108 application. Any one of the plurality of possible outputs148-166 can be generated by enabling/disabling selected ones of theplurality of possible outputs 148-166 based on the requirements of aparticular application for the receiver. The particular SATPS receiver108 application generally defines the particular outputs needed for eachSATPS receiver application. For example, the plurality of outputs148-166 can be enabled/disabled to configure the generic SATPS receiver108 to function as a SATPS receiver 108 used GPS receiver application.Accordingly, the generic SATPS receiver 108 is configurable, and can beconfigured for use in any of a plurality of particular SATPS receiver108 applications.

[0054] The generic SATPS receiver 108 can be implemented in, forexample, a SATPS system that includes satellites 102, 104, 106 thatprovide SATPS information, and a remote computer 110 that communicateswith the SATPS receiver 108 over a link 118. The remote computer 110could be, for example, a base station, a LAN, a WAN, a server, or otherequivalent remote computer. The generic receiver 108 can generateparticular ones of the possible outputs 148-166 which can allow for thegeneric receiver 108 to be used in any one of the receiver applicationsmentioned above.

[0055] Now, further discussion of preferred aspects of other embodimentsof a generic SATPS receiver will be provided with reference to FIG. 3.

[0056] RF Section

[0057]FIG. 3 illustrates a SATPS receiver 108 in accordance with otherembodiments of the present invention that comprises a Radio Frequency(RF) section 202 and a baseband section 204. The RF section 202typically accepts RF inputs such as SATPS/GPS signals. The RF section202 can convert these RF inputs to an intermediate frequency to allowfor processing by the baseband section 204 or other processors such as aremote computer 110. As shown in FIG. 3, antenna 206 serves as an inputpath that is adapted to receive SATPS/GPS signals 112, 114, 116 andsupply these SATPS/GPS signals 112, 114, 116 as inputs to RF section202. Antenna 208 also serves as an input path that is adapted to acceptother RF signals 210. These other RF signals 210 can include, forexample, cellular system signals, local area network signals, Bluetoothsignals, Short Message Service signals carried in the cellular datachannel over a cellular RF link, Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)signals, beacon signals, or other known signals that can be input to theRF section 202 of a SATPS receiver 108.

[0058] RF section 202 can also accept other types of inputs, such as afrequency reference input 212, an Automatic Gain Control (AGC) controlinput 214, and a blanking input, depending on the requirements or designconstraints of the SATPS receiver 108. A frequency reference input 212may be used to provide precise frequencies to the RF section 202.Providing these precise frequencies can allow for the location of theSATPS receiver 108 to be more precisely determined.

[0059] RF section 202 typically also has a number of down convertedoutputs, such as In-phase (I) output 216, a Quadrature-phase (Q) output218, an oscillator output 220, an I²+Q² output 222, an IntermediateFrequency (IF) output 224, and an AGC output 226. Although these outputscan be fed directly into the baseband section 204, these outputs can betaken directly out of the RF section 202 for other purposes such assending the output information to a remote location 110. These outputs216-226 can thus be used in processing other than the processing thattakes place in the baseband section 204. Alternatively, the outputs216-226 can also be used in other processing that takes place inparallel with the processing that takes place in the baseband section204.

[0060] Baseband Section

[0061] Baseband section 204 can accept any of the downconverted outputs216-226 from the RF section 202. In one application, intermediatefrequency (IF) inputs such as the In-phase (I) input 216 and theQuadrature-phase (Q) input 218 are utilized. The I and Q outputs areboth oscillating at the intermediate frequency. In addition, theoscillator input 220, the I²+Q² input 222, and the AGC input 226, can beutilized by the baseband section 204 to compute, for example, a positionof the SATPS receiver 108, and output that position as position output228.

[0062] However, depending upon the particular application of the SATPSreceiver 108, other inputs to and outputs from baseband section 204 arealso possible. For example, some of the possible outputs of basebandsection 204 can include velocity 230, time 232, pseudorange 234,integrated carrier phase 236, delta pseudorange 238, pre-processed IFinformation 240, Doppler 242, AGC control 244, and navigation data 246.Other assistance data-type inputs to the baseband section 204 caninclude, for example, a frequency reference 248, time 250, Doppler 252,navigation data 254, coarse position 256, Universal Time Code (UTC) timecorrection 258, ionospheric correction 260, ephemeris 262, almanac 264,and satellite ID 266. Combinations of the various inputs to the basebandsection and outputs from the baseband section are possible. Other inputsand other outputs are also possible without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

[0063] This generic SATPS receiver 108 includes all of the possibleoutputs 228-246 and all of the inputs 216-222 and 226, 248-266 utilizedin SATPS receiver applications. As such, the SATPS receiver 108 can beimplemented in all possible SATPS receiver applications that requirethose outputs. Aspects of the present invention can overcome limitationsof the conventional SATPS receivers by providing a generic SATPSreceiver that includes a dynamic set of outputs. This dynamic set ofoutputs is made available to the designer and user of these genericSATPS receivers, both at time of design and at time of implementation,as well throughout the various scenarios of a specific implementation'suse. Moreover, yields are increased since a generic SATPS receiver chipthat would not be operable in one environment may still be utilized inother environments or applications that do not require those particularoutputs to be operable. Some of the particular inputs to and outputsfrom the baseband section 204 will now be discussed in greater detail.

[0064] Inputs to the Baseband Section

[0065] As noted above, the inputs 216-222 and 226, 248-266 to thebaseband section 204 can include, for example, the IntermediateFrequency (IF) inputs such as In-phase (I) input 216 and theQuadrature-phase (Q) input 218. Inputs to the baseband section 204 mayalso include the oscillator input 220, the I²+Q² input 222, and the AGCinput 226, a frequency reference 248, time 250, Doppler 252, navigationdata 254, coarse position 256, Universal Time Code (UTC) correction 258,ionospheric correction 260, ephemeris 262, almanac 264, and satellite ID266.

[0066] Some of these inputs 216-222 and 226 to the baseband section 204can be used to provide baseband section with GPS signals 112-116 thathave been downconverted such that baseband section 204 can process thesignals and can extract GPS data from GPS signals 112-116. Assistancedata-type inputs 248-266 to the baseband section 204 can be used to helpthe baseband section 204 to generate outputs 228-246 of baseband section204, such as position output 228. Other ones of inputs 248-266 can beused to refine the outputs of baseband section 204 and make thoseoutputs 228-246 more accurate or more timely.

[0067] As shown in Table 1 below, the particular inputs to the basebandsection 204, listed in the rows, may vary depending on the particularapplication. The particular inputs that can be implemented in theparticular applications, listed in the columns, are indicated with an“x”. TABLE 1 Vehicle Laptop Survey- Inputs/Applications CellularNavigation Computer ing PDA In-phase (I) X X X X X input 216Quadrature-phase X X X X X (Q) input 218 oscillator input 220 X X X X XI² + Q² input 222 AGC input 226 X X X X X a frequency X reference 248time 250 X X X Doppler 252 X X X navigation data 254 X X X coarseposition 256 X Universal Time X X X Code (UTC) time correction 258ionospheric X X X correction 260 ephemeris 262, X X X almanac 264 X X Xsatellite ID 266 X X X

[0068] Oscillator input 220 is required to clock I and Q samples, andalso to maintain time. The I²+Q² input 222 can be used to determine thetotal power in the band, and to control AGC. The IF inputs (including Iand Q samples) are utilized by an analog basebandto determine phase andamplitude of the GPS signal. AGC input 226 can be used to detect thepresence of jammers when the I and Q samples do not provide a validestimate of total power. A frequency reference input 248 can be used toremove oscillator dynamics from loop filters in the baseband section204, which can improve the signal-to-noise ratio, and improvemeasurement accuracy. The time input 250 along with coarse position 256and ephemeris input 262 and/or almanac input 264 can be used to reducethe search window. Alternatively, the Doppler input 252 can also be usedinstead of time input 250, position input 228, and almanac 264/ephemeris262 to reduce the search window. The psuedorange differential 238 can beused to improve solution accuracy.

[0069] Outputs from the Baseband Section

[0070] Typically, SATPS receiver 108 determines the position of SATPSreceiver 108 and outputs that position as position output 228. Theposition output 228 is used to report the position, typically inlongitude and latitude, of the receiver 108.

[0071] However, in certain receiver applications, this may not be thedesired output or the only desired output of the SATPS receiver 108. Forexample, the velocity output 230 can be used to determine the speed atwhich the receiver 108 is traveling. The time output 232 can be used toclock the RF section, or as a clock reference for a timing function of adevice the receiver 104 is integrated with. The pseudorange output 234can be used as a partially processed output where the position iscalculated by another microprocessor. The integrated carrier phaseoutput 236 can be used to increase sensitivity and accuracy. The deltapseudorange output 238 can be used to increase sensitivity and accuracyof the position calculation. The pre-processed IF information output 240can be used when pseudorange is not available. The doppler output 242can also be used when delta pseudorange is not available. The AGCcontrol output 244 can be used to control the RF section. The navigationdata output 246 can be used to assist in the navigation of the receiver108. The baseband outputs could also include other signal qualityindicators 224, such as satellite signal-to-noise and phase errorestimates.

[0072] As shown in Table 2 below, the particular outputs from thebaseband section that are selected may vary depending on the particularapplication. For example, surveying applications of SATPS receiver 108typically use the integrated carrier phase 236 to reduce the pseudorange noise to the level of delta psuedorange noise since the effect ofmultipath on integrated carrier phase 236 is much smaller. TABLE 2 Cell-Vehicle Laptop Survey- Outputs/Applications ular Navigation Computer ingPDA position output 228 X X X X velocity output 230 X X X X time output232 X X X X psuedorange output X X X 234 integrated carrier X X phaseoutput 236 delta psuedorange X X X X output 238 preprocessed Xintegrated phase output 240 Doppler output 242 X X automatic gain X X XX control (AGC) output 244 other signal quality indicators 224

[0073] Aspects of the present invention can allow for the dynamic changeof a SATPS receiver 108 to allow the SATPS receiver to adapt to itscurrent operating environment. Specific ones of the outputs 228-246 canbe used specifically for specific applications, and can be ignored byother applications. In contrast to conventional GPS receivers, aspectsof the present invention can provide the designer and user of SATPSreceivers with a dynamic set of outputs, at time of design and/or at thetime of implementation, as well throughout the various specificimplementations of the generic receiver 108. For example, many receiversare designed to perform position calculations only, and do not output,for instance, pseudoranges or other data that can be used by the outsideworld. The user is unable to tell, for example, which satellites areused to determine position, what pseudoranges were used, or whichalmanacs were used to determine if the calculation is correct. Further,it may not be possible to help the SATPS receiver 108 with any outsideinformation, such as a visible list for the present time, to help theSATPS receiver 108 to achieve a faster Time To First Fix (TTFF).

[0074] Aspects of the present invention can also allow a designer, user,or the SATPS receiver 108 itself, to intelligently adapt to the currentoperating environment and/or application. For example, if the user knowsthat the SATPS receiver 108 is attached to a PDA that has a local clock,or frequency reference, such a frequency reference input can be used inthe SATPS receiver on the frequency reference input 248 to help theSATPS receiver attain greater accuracy. Coarse position 256, time 250,and other inputs may also be available. These outputs can be manuallyentered as available by the user, determined by the packaging of theSATPS receiver 108, or determined by the SATPS receiver 108 itself byquerying specific software or hardware flags to determine what help orinputs are available, and which outputs are desired or needed. As such,the SATPS receiver 108 can adapt itself, or the adaptation can beperformed by the designer or the user as needed or desired.

[0075] Implementations of the Baseband Unit

[0076] It will be understood that the baseband unit 204 shown in theblock diagram illustration of FIG. 3 may be implemented, for example,using electronic circuits included in wireless communicators configuredto operate in wireless communications systems. It will also beappreciated that the baseband unit 204 shown in the block diagramillustration of FIG. 3, may be implemented in special purpose hardwaresuch as discrete analog and/or digital circuitry, such as combinationsof integrated circuits or one or more Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), as well as by computer program instructions which maybe loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processingapparatus to produce a machine such that the instructions which executeon the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus tocreate means for implementing the functions specified in the blocks. Thecomputer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperations to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified inthe blocks.

[0077] Accordingly, blocks of FIG. 3 support electronic circuits andother means for performing the specified functions, as well ascombinations of operations for performing the specified functions. Itwill be understood that the circuits and other means supported by eachblock of FIG. 3, and combinations of blocks therein, can be implementedby special purpose hardware, software or firmware operating on specialor general purpose data processors, or combinations thereof. Forexample, the baseband unit can generate selected ones of the pluralityof the possible outputs from the plurality of possible outputs viaspecial purpose hardware, software or firmware operating on special orgeneral purpose data processors, or combinations thereof.

[0078] Aspects of the present invention provide a generic SATPS receiveras discussed above, as well as methods for configuring a generic SATPSreceiver 108 for use in any of a plurality of SATPS receiver 108applications.

[0079] Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is one such method. At step 170, ageneric SATPS receiver is provided. The SATPS receiver includes inputpaths for providing data to the receiver. The generic SATPS receiverincludes a plurality of possible outputs 130-146 that correspond to allor virtually all of the possible outputs that are utilized in SATPSreceiver applications, and is capable of generating all or some of thepossible outputs 130-146. At step 180, the user or designer determineswhich of the plurality of SATPS receiver 108 applications the receiverwill be utilized in conjunction with. At step 190, desired outputs,selected from the plurality of possible outputs 130-146, utilized by aparticular receiver 108 application can be activated/deactivated. Thedesired outputs 130-146 are can then be enabled/disabled to configurethe generic SATPS receiver 108 to function as a SATPS receiver 108 usedfor a particular SATPS receiver application.

[0080] Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is a method for producing a SATPSreceiver 108 for a particular application. At step 310, generic SATPSreceivers 108, as described above, are provided. These generic SATPSreceivers 108 have a plurality of outputs 130-146 that can be utilizedby a plurality of particular SATPS receiver 108 applications. At step320, a determination is then made as to which ones of the plurality ofoutputs 130-146 are operable. Thereafter, at step 330, the generic SATPSreceivers 108 can be grouped based on which ones of the plurality ofoutputs 130-146 are operable. Because only certain ones of the outputsare utilized in specific applications, it is not necessary that all ofthe outputs be operable. Even if certain ones of the outputs are notoperable, the receiver 108 may still be utilized in certain SATPSreceiver applications.

[0081] As described above, aspects of the present invention relate tomethods and apparatuses for determining which inputs and outputs shouldbe used for given SATPS receivers. These receivers can be pre-programmedto accept certain inputs and provide certain outputs, or can bedynamically programmed or automatically determine which inputs areavailable based on inputs to the SATPS receiver. These SATPS receiverscan then use the available assistance inputs, e.g., Bluetooth signals,Ultra Wide Band (UWB) signals, etc. as an aide to the SATPS signals, or,where SATPS signals are inadequate, as a replacement for the SATPSsignals, based on either user-selected or automatically selectedcriterion. As discussed herein, aspects of the present invention canprovide SATPS receivers that can be used in multiple applications, thatcan accept multiple types of assistance data, and that can providemultiple types of outputs depending on the application and/or desires ofthe user.

[0082] While the present invention has been described in terms ofcertain preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the willappreciate that certain variations, extensions and modifications may bemade without varying from the basic teachings of the present invention.As such, the present invention is not to be limited to the specificpreferred embodiments described herein. Rather, the scope of the presentinvention is to be determined from the claims, which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A configurable SATPS receiver adapted to beutilized in at least one of a plurality of particular SATPS receiverapplications, the configurable SATPS receiver including a plurality ofinput paths and a plurality of possible outputs, comprising: means forgenerating selected ones of the plurality of possible outputs, whereinthe selected ones of the plurality of possible outputs comprise outputsthat are utilized by at least one particular SATPS receiver application.2. The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 1, further comprising aplurality of input paths responsive to a plurality of possible RFinputs, wherein the means for generating comprises: a radio frequency(RF) unit responsive to at least one RF input, wherein the radiofrequency unit generates a plurality of intermediate frequency (IF)outputs based on the RF inputs; and a baseband unit responsive toselected ones of the intermediate frequency (IF) outputs.
 3. Theconfigurable SATPS receiver of claim 2, wherein the baseband unitgenerates selected ones of the plurality of possible outputs utilized bythe particular SATPS receiver application.
 4. The configurable SATPSreceiver of claim 3, wherein baseband unit generates selected ones ofthe plurality of possible outputs based on the plurality of inputs. 5.The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 2, wherein the baseband unitfurther comprises input paths for signals other than the RF inputs fromthe RF unit, and wherein at least one of the plurality of possibleoutputs is selected from the plurality of possible outputs and otherinputs, based in part on use of signals other than the RF inputs.
 6. Theconfigurable SATPS receiver of claim 5, wherein the signals comprise aplurality of assistance data-type inputs.
 7. The configurable SATPSreceiver of claim 6, wherein the assistance data-type inputs areselected from at least one of a group comprising: a coarse positioninput, a navigation data input, a doppler input, a time input, afrequency reference input, a universal time code (UTC) correction input,a ionospheric correction input, an ephemeris input, an almanac input,and/or a satellite ID input.
 8. The configurable SATPS receiver of claim7, wherein the baseband unit extracts GPS data from the selected ones ofthe intermediate frequency (IF) outputs and generates an output relatingto the position of the SATPS receiver.
 9. The configurable SATPSreceiver of claim 2, wherein the plurality of RF inputs are selectedfrom at least one of a group comprising: a frequency reference input, anautomatic gain control input, a blanking input, and a jammer-to-noise(J/N) switch.
 10. The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 8, whereinthe intermediate frequency (IF) outputs are selected from at least oneof a group comprising: in-phase (I) output, quadrature-phase (Q) output,I²+Q² output, oscillator output, Intermediate Frequency (IF) output, anautomatic gain control output, and other signal quality indicators. 11.The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 2, wherein the intermediatefrequency (IF) outputs are fed directly into the baseband unit forprocessing.
 12. The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 2, wherein theintermediate frequency (IF) outputs are sent directly to a remotelocation.
 13. The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 2, wherein theintermediate frequency (IF) outputs are directly utilized for parallelprocessing by a remote location and the basedband unit.
 14. Theconfigurable SATPS receiver of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofpossible outputs comprise a plurality of programmable outputs that canbe enabled based on the particular receiver application.
 15. Theconfigurable SATPS receiver of claim 14, wherein the particular receiverapplication is determined based on current operating environment and/oruser preferences.
 16. The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 2,wherein the plurality of possible outputs are selected from at least oneof a group comprising: a doppler output, a pre-processed information(IF) output, a delta pseudorange output, an integrated carrier phaseoutput, a pseudorange output, a time output, a velocity output, and aposition output.
 17. The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 8, whereinthe input paths comprise: at least one antenna adapted to receive RFinputs and supply the RF inputs to the RF unit.
 18. The configurableSATPS receiver of claim 8, wherein the at least one antenna is a firstantenna, and wherein the input paths further comprise: a second antennaadapted to selectively receive other RF signals based on the particularapplication.
 19. The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 18, whereinother RF signals are selected from at least one of a group comprising:cellular system signals, local area network signals, Bluetooth signals,SMS signals, Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) signals, and beaconsignals.
 20. The configurable SATPS receiver of claim 1, wherein theparticular SATPS receiver applications include at least one of acellular telephone operating environment, an automobile operatingenvironment, and a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) operating environment.